Second Session of Synod: New Forums and Expanded Participation
Catholics worldwide are eagerly waiting the second session of the Synod on Synodality scheduled to take place from October 2 to 27. Thi
s month-long event in the life of the Catholic Church. The session will bring together the Clergy and the laity to discuss the central theme: “How to be a synodal Church in mission?”
In mid-September, Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod, and Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Relator General of the Synod, provided organizational updates at a press conference. They announced that the Synod will feature 368 voting participants from six continents, including 272 bishops and 96 non-bishops, 54 of whom are women. In addition, 16 “fraternal delegates” from other Christian communities will attend—an increase from the 12 who participated in last year’s first session.
Before the event begins, a two-day spiritual retreat will be held at the Vatican on September 30 and October 1. This retreat will be led by Dominican priest Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP, and Mother Maria Ignazia Angelini, abbess of a Benedictine abbey near Milan. It will conclude with a penitential vigil led by the Pope on the evening of October 1 in St. Peter’s Basilica.
On Friday, October 11, Pope Francis will also lead an ecumenical prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square, marking the 62nd anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council.
As in the previous session, the Synod will follow the “conversation in the Spirit” method. Participants will be divided into linguistic groups of about 10 people each to facilitate discussions. Earlier this year, in response to the Synthesis Report from the First Session, Pope Francis outlined 10 themes for the Synod study groups to focus on. These groups are expected to present their initial findings during the second session and will aim to complete their work by June 2025. The themes include:
1. Some aspects of the relationship between the Eastern Catholic Churches and the Latin Church
2. Listening to the Cry of the Poor
3. The mission in the digital environment
4. The revision of the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis in a missionary synodal perspective
5. Some Theological and Canonical matters regarding specific ministerial forms
6. The revision, in a synodal missionary perspective, of the documents touching on the relationship between Bishops, Consecrated life, and Ecclesial associations
7. Some aspects of the person and ministry of the Bishop (criteria for selecting candidates to Episcopacy, judicial function of the Bishops, nature and course of ad limina Apostolorum visits) from a missionary synodal perspective
8. The role of Papal Representatives in a missionary synodal perspective
9. Theological criteria and synodal methodologies for shared discernment of controversial doctrinal, pastoral, and ethical issues
10. The reception of the fruits of the ecumenical journey in ecclesial practices
A key revolution in this second session is the introduction of four “theological-pastoral forums,” each addressing themes relevant to the XVI Assembly of the Synod from different perspectives. The first two forums, scheduled for October 9, will take place simultaneously at different venues. One will focus on “The People of God subject of mission,” and the other on “The role and authority of the Bishop in a synodal church.”
The second two forums will hold on 16 October, again simultaneously but in different venues. The first will focus on “The mutual relationship local Church—universal Church.” The second will focus on “The exercise of the primacy and the synod of Bishops.”
According to a statement from the General Secretariat of the Synod, these forums respond to a need identified during the first session—to further deepen the theological, canonical, and pastoral understanding of synodality across various aspects of the Church’s faith. They will also provide an opportunity for theologians and canonists to contribute to the Synod Assembly’s work.
Last year, Sr. Mary T. Barron, OLA Congregational Leader attended the Synod Assembly as one of the five voting delegates representing the International Union of Superiors General (UISG).
In this second session, OLA Sisters are once again represented, and this time with not just one person but two. Sr Mary T. BARRON (Voting delegate) and Sr. Anne FALOLA(Table Facilitator). Keep them and all the Synod Participants in Prayers.
Stay tuned for updates as the Synod progresses.